SANTA CLARA, Calif. – San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has shared the latest updates on the injuries affecting the team, especially in the wide receiver position. Shanahan offered an estimate on the possible return of Brandon Aiyuk, providing a ray of hope amid the difficulties.
Aiyuk and other key players in recovery
Shanahan, although cautious, expects to have Aiyuk back before the middle of the season. The receiver is recovering from a knee injury suffered last season. Along with Aiyuk, safety Malik Mustapha and quarterback Kurtis Rourke are also in the process of recovering, both with ACL injuries.Aiyuk, who remains on the injured list, has been present at training camp, offering advice to the receivers and collaborating with the receivers coach, Leonard Hankerson. Aiyuk’s knee injury required a longer recovery time, which has impacted the team’s planning. The situation is aggravated by the ongoing injuries to the 49ers’ wide receiver corps. Jordan Watkins, a promising rookie, suffered a sprained ankle and is expected to be out for about a month. The 49ers practiced without Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (hamstring), and Watkins. This situation poses a significant challenge to the team’s depth at the receiver position. Demarcus Robinson is awaiting a possible suspension for a DUI charge, while Jauan Jennings faces uncertainty due to a calf injury. Cowing could return to training on Tuesday after injuring his hamstring. Ricky Pearsall, the team’s top pick in 2024, is the only projected receiver among the top six who is healthy and available for Week 1, if he avoids injuries. The 49ers had Isaiah Hodgins, Robbie Chosen, Terique Owens, Russell Gage Jr., and Junior Bergen as receiver options in Tuesday’s practice. Shanahan acknowledged the challenge posed by injuries and mentioned the possibility of seeking options in free agency, although cautiously, considering the impact on the salary cap and long-term decisions.I see all those guys around the same time. Whether it’s Mustafa, Rourke, or Brandon. They’re all at different stages, but wherever they are, I always see them around Week 6. That could be Week 10, Week 5, but that’s the area where I start thinking about it, which is a long way off. I know it’s not Week 1 or anything like that, so I’m not thinking about it much.
Kyle Shanahan
